Combining His and Her Décor Styles After the Wedding
He got down on one knee, she said yes, and vows were exchanged. The happy couple is looking forward to a life of love and happiness, and ready to combine households. If you’re moving in with your spouse for the first time, you now face the challenge of combining two styles that are likely very different. Home décor plays a huge role in our emotional state; it can affect your stress levels, mental health, and even your self-image. Taking the time to talk through your home décor ideas and desires can help you cultivate a happy home that you can both enjoy. From his and hers design to a perfect combo of your style sensibilities, these simple tips will help you streamline your décor ideas into a cohesive look.
List Your Non-Negotiable Items
Your first priority is discovering your partner’s non-negotiables. These are the design themes and schemes they consider as must-haves. Combining spaces means you’re likely both coming stocked with furniture—a purge is in your future. So whose furniture is on the chopping block? That’s the question of the hour.
You’ll need to sit down separately and decide which items you simply can’t part with, whether that be for sentimental reasons or otherwise. This is also the time you’ll need to get rid of old pieces you no longer need or want, whether that’s donating to local Goodwill locations or selling them through a local listing site like OfferUp.
Once you both have a list of your must-keeps, come together and talk through them. You need to be honest about the pieces that mean a lot to you; listening to him explain why he loves that rugged old couch may make it easier for you to compromise. You may find the pieces you’re left with are easier to combine than you anticipated.
Separate Spaces?
Sometimes, it’s a good idea to carve out a space that’s all your own, and many couples find that his and hers spaces help their marriage. For the guy or gal that’s a sports fanatic, a den with a television for the big game will do the trick. If one of you is interested in painting, set aside a guest room to serve as an art studio. In these his and her areas, you can decorate the space in your style, with the things you want. Everyone needs alone time every once in a while, and these “man and women caves” will give you the opportunity to create a haven for your passions.
Start With the Bedroom
The bedroom is an easy starting point for couples trying to combine their styles. As your bed will serve as the focal point of the room, go with a simple color scheme that’s easy to work around. Shop for solid color coverlets in neutral hues; grey and beige make for simple jump-off points. Once you’ve chosen the bed set, you can add accent pillows; let him choose a few, then choose a few yourself that complement his selection. You’ll find starting from this statement piece makes it easier for both of you to imagine décor to enhance the room.
Know That Your Vision Will Take Time
You can’t create the oasis you’ve always dreamed of in a week. It may take you both months (in some cases, years) to finally achieve the vision you’ve been working towards. However, it’s more than worth it to take your time and create a space that incorporates both of your wants and needs. Start by drawing out detailed plans to better visualize the place. Once you have a plan, you can begin accumulating the pieces that will help you achieve your vision.
Creating the home of your dreams is just another exciting step on the journey of marriage. Keep these tips in mind, arm yourself with a bit (a lot) of patience, and work with your special someone to create a space you both can enjoy for years to come.
Images and tips provided by M.Frank
